The Delta variant of coronavirus appears to be eight-fold less sensitive to antibodies evoked by vaccines when compared with the original strain of coronavirus, suggests a new study, “SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta Variant Emergence and Vaccine Breakthrough: Collaborative Study”.

The study included over 100 healthcare workers (HCWs) at three centers in India, including Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH). Investigators noted that the vaccine-breakthrough infections were dominated by Delta variant with higher respiratory viral loads compared to non-Delta infections (Ct value of 16.5 vs. 19). The variant also leads to greater transmission among the fully vaccinated HCWs.

The collaborative study is yet to be peer-reviewed… (ET Healthworld, July 6, 2021)